DECKS: Wide variety of cards that are suitable for Gold or Legendary League wars.
PLAY STYLE: Casually competitive with an aim for Legendary or Gold Leagues.
WARS: Members are encouraged to war. Opt out by not doing prep day battles. Once opted in, players must use their war battles or they will be kicked.


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Home > Articles > Reviews > Books > Review – A Life in Norfolk's Archaeology, 1950-2016
Review – A Life in Norfolk's Archaeology, 1950-2016
Norfolk, Peter Wade Martins
Peter Wade-Martins
Archaeopress, £24.99
Review Edward Biddulph
Peter Wade-Martins' account of his life in archaeology is as rich as any of the sites with which he has been involved. Beginning at a time when there was scant legal protection for Britain's heritage, and ending with the realities of developer-led archaeology and a post-Brexit future, Wade-Martins' story is also the story of archaeological practice in the modern era.
The author has had an extraordinary career – being both a witness to and a key player in the events that have shaped the way we investigate the past. His archaeological career began in the late 1950s as a volunteer at Norwich City Museum, and in the 1960s he joined excavations carried out in response to the threat of deep ploughing across deserted medieval villages. For his PhD, Wade-Martins analysed the results of fieldwalking across the Norfolk countryside to investigate medieval settlement patterns, and during that time took part in excavations of the late Saxon and early medieval centre at North Elmham.
From 1973 to 1999, Wade-Martins was County Archaeologist for Norfolk, during which time he steered the county through the implementation of the RESCUE movement. This led to the formation of the Norfolk Archaeological Unit – and then Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 put archaeological provision on a new footing that continues in modified form today. Wade-Martins left his post after council reorganisation, but soon after began a new role as director of the Norfolk Archaeological Trust, where he had considerable success – for instance, securing the future preservation of the Saxon shore fort, Burgh Castle.
Norfolk was the scene of several 'firsts' in British archaeology, and Wade-Martins saw them all. Archaeologists in the county pioneered systematic fieldwalking as a method of investigation, set up the first sites and monuments record, created the model for responsible metal-detecting and finds reporting, built up an unrivalled collection of aerial photographs, and instigated the East Anglian Archaeology publication series, which is still going strong with its 163rd volume.
Not everything was met by success, and Wade-Martins does not shy away from pointing out where archaeological management broke down. He is rightly scathing about archaeologists – some of whom should have known better – who excavated with no thought to publication and archiving. His tale of a group of wellintentioned weekend diggers, known as the 'Excavatores Brantunae', who dug (one would hesitate to call it an excavation) the Roman settlement at Brampton over a period of 30 years, unfolds like an archaeological horror story. The author is also honest about his own regrets in his archaeological work.
The book is superbly illustrated; indeed, it is well worth buying for the photographs alone. There are images of richly furnished Saxon graves from Spong Hill. There is the obligatory picture of bare-chested (male) archaeologists in the 1960s. A collapsed section from an excavation in the late 1950s shows how far (for good reason) health and safety has come. And an aerial photograph of the deserted medieval village of Grenstein reveals that, before flying his self-built autogyro on Her Majesty's secret service in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice, Wing Commander Ken Wallis used it for aerial photography for Norfolk's archaeological service.
With the book being as much a history of modern archaeological practice in Norfolk as an autobiography, some reference to the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Research Project – a multidisciplinary investigation of a village that has some of the spirit of the author's own village surveys and which has trained a generation of field archaeologists (see CA 299 and 333) – might have been warranted. Recent discoveries by archaeological units based outside the county are also not covered in any detail. The book is, however, Peter Wade-Martins' story, and does not claim to be a comprehensive overview.
What a life in Norfolk's archaeology! The book is destined to become an essential archaeological reference and to join other classics of archaeological autobiography, among them Sir Mortimer Wheeler's Still Digging and Philip Rahtz's Living Archaeology. An absolute must-read.
This review appeared in CA 336.
Previous Review – The Charterhouse Next Review – Hillforts of the Cheshire Ridge

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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EMGT601-23X (C) General non-calendar-based 2023
Engineering Management Professional Skills
End Date: Sunday, 22 October 2023
Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 20 August 2023
This course will further-develop professional skills required for success during and after engineering study, including personal effectiveness, collaboration, networking and communication skills. In addition, the course will focus on topical issues facing engineering managers in New Zealand. This course will be delivered in a series of workshops spanning multiple teaching periods. Through a series of workshops, this course targets best practices in self-assessment, time management, communication, stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills. In addition, this course will be a platform for the development of professional networks, through the incorporation of a mentoring and sponsorship programme, and by students participating in professional networking activities.
Subject to the approval of the Programme Director
Lecture A
01-P1 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 E10
20 Feb - 2 Apr
24 Apr - 4 Jun
17 Jul - 27 Aug
01 Tuesday 17:00 - 18:00 E10
For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering Head of Department
Peer Review Reports 20%
Individual Development Plan and Journal Entries 35%
Individual Development Plan and Collaboration Reflection 25%
Presentation 20%
For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .
All EMGT601 Occurrences


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Council has engaged the services of Local Government Tender Box to manage and administer projects. To obtain documentation for a listed opportunity, simply head to our Tenders page to view all current open Tenders and provided information.
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HomePosts tagged 'Stanford University'
Who Wants a Sustainable, Pollution-Free New York by 2030?
12/11/2013 05/11/2013 Stephen CANADA, CLIMATE CHANGE/GLOBAL WARMING, economics, Energy, ENVIRONMENT, Global Issues and Perspectives, global warming, News, Science, sustainability	Canada, Jacobson, Mark Jacobson, Midtown Manhattan, New York, New York City, Stanford University, Sustainable energy
Wind turbines on the Tug Hill plateau in upstate New York
UXBRIDGE, Canada, Mar 19 2013 (IPS)
As usual, midtown Manhattan is packed with whisper-quiet cars and trams while thousands walk the streets listening to the birds of spring sing amongst the gleaming, grime-free skyscrapers in the crystal-clear morning air.
Welcome to New York City in April 2030.
I think the public will be 100 percent behind this, if they know about it.
This is not a fantasy. It is a perfectly doable goal, said Stanford University energy expert Mark Jacobson. In fact, the entire state of New York could be powered by wind, water and sunlight based on a detailed plan Jacobson co-authored.
It's not only doable, powering New York on green energy is "sustainable and inexpensive" and would save lives and health costs, Jacobson told IPS.
Each year, air pollution kills 4,000 people in New York State and costs the public 33 billion dollars in health costs, according to the study Jacobson co-authored with experts from all over the U.S. It will be published in the journal Energy Policy.
"We're all scared…But we must tell the truth" — Experts Fear Collapse of Global Civilisation
01/11/2013 30/10/2013 Stephen 1 Must Read, Global Issues and Perspectives, Science, sustainability	Conservation Biology, Earth, Ehrlich, etc group, Paul Ehrlich, Risks to civilization humans and planet Earth, royal society, Stanford University
UXBRIDGE, Canada, Jan 11 2013 (IPS)
Experts on the health of our planet are terrified of the future. They can clearly see the coming collapse of global civilisation from an array of interconnected environmental problems.
"We're all scared," said Paul Ehrlich, president of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University.
"But we must tell the truth about what's happening and challenge people to do something to prevent it," Ehrlich told IPS.
Global collapse of human civilisation seems likely, write Ehrlich and his partner Anne Ehrlich in the prestigious science journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society.
This collapse will take the form of a "…gradual breakdown because famines, epidemics and resource shortages cause a disintegration of central control within nations, in concert with disruptions of trade and conflicts over increasingly scarce necessities", they write.
Already two billion people are hungry today. Food production is humanity's biggest industry and is already being affected by climate and other environmental problems. "No civilisation can avoid collapse if it fails to feed its population," the authors say.
Escalating climate disruption, ocean acidification, oceanic dead zones, depletion of groundwater and extinctions of plants and animals are the main drivers of the coming collapse, they write in their peer-reviewed article "Can a collapse of global civilisation be avoided?" published this week.
Dozens of earth systems experts were consulted in writing the 10-page paper that contains over 160 references.
"We talked to many of the world's leading experts to reflect what is really happening," said Ehrlich, who is an eminent biologist and winner of many scientific awards.
Our reality is that current overconsumption of natural resources and the resulting damage to life-sustaining services nature provides means we need another half of a planet to keeping going. And that's if all seven billion remain at their current living standards, the Ehrlichs write.
If everyone lived like a U.S. citizen, another four or five planets would be needed.
Global population is projected to increase by 2.5 billion by 2050. It doesn't take an expert to conclude that collapse of civilisation will be unavoidable without major changes.
We're facing a future where billions will likely die, and yet little is being done to avoid certain disaster, he said.
"Policy makers and the public aren't terrified about this because they don't have the information or the knowledge about how our planet functions," he said. Continue reading →
02/04/2013 31/03/2013 Stephen 1 Must Read, CLIMATE CHANGE/GLOBAL WARMING, ECOLOGY, News, OCEAN, Science, Science/Tech, sustainability	acidification, Anne H Ehrlich, Conservation Biology, Ehrlich, Energy, etc group, food security, fossil fuel, London, materialism, overconsumption, Paul Ehrlich, Proceedings of the Royal Society, Stanford University
If everyone lived like a U.S. citizen, another four or five planets would be needed. Continue reading →
Green Energy Solves Dual Crises of Poverty and Climate
04/03/2013 03/03/2013 Stephen 1 Must Read, Africa, CLIMATE CHANGE/GLOBAL WARMING, developing world, economics, Energy, Global Issues and Perspectives, global warming, News, Science/Tech, sustainability	Canada, European Union, fossil fuel, gas, green energy, IEA, International Energy Agency, MDG, Millennium Development Goals, oil, pipeline, Price Waterhouse Coopers, PwC, Renewable Energy, Stanford University, Sustainable energy, UNIDO, United Nations, world bank
Dirty fossil fuel energy leads to 350,000 premature deaths in Europe
UXBRIDGE, Canada, Feb 25 2013 (IPS)
Green energy is the only way to bring billions of people out of energy poverty and prevent a climate disaster, a new study reveals.
Conservative institutions like the World Bank, the International Energy Agency and accounting giant Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) all warn humanity is on a path to climate catastrophe unless fossil fuel energy is replaced by green energy.
The U.N.'s Sustainable Energy for All initiative intends to bring universal access to modern energy, doubling the share of renewable energy globally, and doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.
If those targets are met and similar efforts undertaken to reduce deforestation, then climate disaster can be avoided, said Joeri Rogelj of the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science in Zurich who headed the analysis published Sunday in the journal Nature Climate Change.
"Poverty eradication, sustainable development and the transition away from fossil fuel energy go hand in hand," Rogelj told IPS. Continue reading →
The Future of Journalism: Adopt a Muckraker
27/09/2010 08/01/2013 Stephen 1 Must Read, CANADA, Global Issues and Perspectives, Interconnections, Media, News, Pollution and Toxics, Science, sustainability	climate change, global warming, Investigative journalism, Journalism, Media, Muckraker, News agency, Stanford University
"I'm pretty damn angry that media companies are putting profits ahead of truth.
The media are deeply broken… That's a real threat to democracy."
— Stanford University climate scientist, Stephen Schneider
Renowned Swiss journalist Daniel Wermus and Director of the Media21 Global Journalism Network discusses my launch of Community Supported Journalism in this article. — Stephen
"Should you and I pay for the kind of accurate news reporting that is needed to fill us in on what is happening to the planet?
If we're not willing to pick up the tab to stay better informed, who will?"
Frontline Earth: Adopt a Muckraker?
By Daniel Wermus
"I meet international freelance journalists quite often. Most make it clear that budget cuts have made it increasingly difficult for just about anyone, especially freelancers, to get into print. It is usually the freelancers who are most willing to risk their lives to get the stories that need reporting the most. If the day arrives when they can no longer carry out their professions, we will all have a serious problem.
Muckraker: A reporter or writer who investigates and publishes reports involving a host of social issues, broadly including crime and corruption
Stephen Leahy, a Canadian, and one of the world's best-known investigative reporters on environmental issues, has launched a challenge: if corporations won't pay for the news, then it is up to communities and the public to fill the gap. A free society needs journalism, even if reporting the news is not commercially profitable.
Leahy's model for supporting the news has the journalist make his pitch over the internet. The completed article can then be distributed by news agencies or magazines that are low on funds but high on public interest. That could be IPS, Reuters-Alertnet, Commondreams, InfoSud, The Essential Edge or any number of other publications and news outlets.
[edit: Wermus concludes]
Leahy observes that: "Many people tell me, we need individuals like you to get real information out."
It may be too early to tell whether this really signals a new citizen's approach to the need for hard information that may be crucial to society. In the best of all worlds it could bring together both consumers and media for promoting a better planet. The danger is that it could also produce yet another quagmire of holier-than-thou preaching."
Learn more about Community Supported Journalism in the Public Interest
Adopt a Muckraker for only $10 a month
Update: Community Supported Journalism is working. However 50 people helping out has to become 500 so we all can get the crucial information we need. Please consider becoming one of the 500. Thank you. — Stephen


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The Saguaro Cactus: A Natural History
David Yetman, Alberto Búrquez, Kevin Hultine, and Michael Sanderson. 2020. The Saguaro Cactus: A Natural History. (ISBN-13: 978-0-81654004-4, pbk). The University of Arizona Press, 1510 E. University Blvd., P.O. Box 210055, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0055, U.S.A. (Orders: uapress.arizon.edu). $19.95 US, 208 pp., references, index, 5½" × 8½".
BRIT Press. (2020). The Saguaro Cactus: A Natural History. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 14(1), 72. Retrieved from https://journals.brit.org/jbrit/article/view/985
BRIT Press, Herbarium: The Quest to Preserve and Classify the World's Plants , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2021): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, Agaricus of North America , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2017): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, A Monograph of the Genus Cornus , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2017): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, Flora of North America North of Mexico, Volume 10, Magnoliophyta: Proteaceae to Elaeagnaceae , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2021): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: The Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2017): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, Mistletoes of the Continental United States and Canada , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2021): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, Guide to the Vascular Flora of Kitty Hawk Woods, Dare County, North Carolina, U.S.A. , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2017): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, In Defense of Plants , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2021): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, Sustainable Food Gardens , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 15 No. 2 (2021): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
BRIT Press, The History of Lancetilla Botanical Garden, Honduras , Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2017): Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
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Back in 2017, algo investing reported on the pair of Russian entrepreneurs who managed to create a heating system in a Siberian cottage powered by Bitcoin miners that, at the time, was generating profits of $430 each month. The property makes use of cheap hydroelectric power and, given the climate of its location, the heat created from the units is much-needed during the nine months each year that central heaters are an absolute-must.
The post Bitcoin Miners Explore Renewable Energy and Power Recycling appeared first on algo investing.


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Omaha Burke High School began with the opening of John H. Beveridge Junior High School in 1963. The school was known as Burke/Beveridge at that time. In 1967, Burke High School officially opened its doors at its present location at 120th & Burke Boulevard in West Omaha. This opening also marked the beginning of the Burke High School Band and Instrumental Music Program.
The Burke Instrumental Music Program has been led by the following directors:
Thomas Harvey (1967 – 1972)
Dr. Stephen Lawrence (1972 – 1982)
Dave Bacon (1982 – 1984)
Murl Mickey (1984 – 2008)
Assisted by Norm Edwards
Norm Edwards (2008 – 2014)
Assisted by Nicholas Spath (2008 – 2014)
Charles A. Wright (2014 – 2017)
Assisted by Marcus Brown (2016 – 2017)
Kyle Brubaker (2017 – Present)
Assisted by Amber Bock (2018 – Present)
From 1967 through 1984 the Burke High Band performed at numerous school and community functions. Omaha Public School (OPS) policies at the time prohibited the band from competitions and travel. In 1984, OPS changed the competition and travel policies which opened new opportunities for the band. Burke was the first OPS band to receive a "Superior" rating at the State Marching Competition.
The Burke Instrumental Music Program has developed into serving Burke High students through many performance opportunities and enriching experiences in percussion, orchestra, wind band, and color guard. The program continues to consistently receive "Superior" ratings at contests and festivals, win numerous awards during the marching band season, and present inspiring and moving performances for audiences in many venues locally, regionally, and nationally. Ensembles have traveled to perform at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.; Disney World in Orlando, Florida; and Winter Park, Colorado. The Burke Instrumental Music Program continues to grow and thrive because of the dedicated, hard-working, talented, and fun student-musicians that continue to fill our rehearsal hall year after year.
Thank you to the students, parents and proud supporters, and the Burke High School and Omaha Public School administrators for all that you do in keeping the history of excellence in the Burke Instrumental Music Program alive !


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JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER BAND, IT STARTED IN THE GARAGE.
Two young kids playing Greenday covers on a Stratocaster and no microphone decided to enter a battle of the bands at lead guitarist and founder, Juliana's high school. It was called the Gig and they didn't think they would even be considered, seeing as how they had only recorded a version of Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne that consisted of synth drums and Juliana's Dad playing bass. They were not a band. Crazier things have happened, but lo and behold, they got in and had about 2 weeks to come up with a band and 3 songs to play on stage. Enter Duke and Donna.
Duke was a drummer from Korea they found on craigslist. Quiet personality, killer percussionist. Duke had excellent timing and was more experienced playing with other people. Donna was just in the right place at the right time. Juliana was sitting in the quad at school trying to think of how to find a bass player when she noticed a Fender patch on a girl's backpack. On a hunch, she asked the girl if she played bass. After little conversation, it was apparent that Donna could jam. Thus the first formal line up of Crimes of Passion was born.
Practice was almost every day for two weeks before the show. Unfortunately, there was a falling out the night before the show with the singer. A very good friend and versatile musician, Andre, stepped up and sang the next evening at the Gig with one practice under his belt, and boy did he convince the audience otherwise.
98.5 KFOX LAST BAND STANDING CONTEST
After the Gig, the band entered a radio contest called Last Band Standing on 98.5 KFOX radio. The band entered the contest as Juliana, Andre, Duke, and Donna, but ended up with a different line up before the contest would be over. Erick on drums, Jesse Battles on vocals, and while Donna was out of town, James on bass. The band got to play at the Kingshead in Campbell (now called the Spot) where they performed a full set of covers.
Jesse and Juliana had been friends since they were children and musically play very well together. They quickly began writing music. The first song they wrote was called The Cigarette Won't Bleed and it really didn't make any sense. Later it was revealed that Jesse thought of the name while looking at a picture of John Lennon smoking a cigarette. The second song they wrote together was called Quite Frightening, and Jesse wrote the lyrics to the song in the backseat of Juliana's mom's car on the way to practice. It took about 5 minutes. This version of the band went on for a good while, practicing in drummer Erick's garage-turned-studio. It was a haven for musicians: filled with amps and drums and guitars and basses galore, all of which were Erick's fathers who also played in bands. Bassist Donna eventually had to leave for college, and Brandon joined the group. Donna and Brandon both played Crimes of Passion's first "big" show, opening up for Greg Kihn at his annual Kihncert. Crimes of Passion went on to enter the contest 3 times, making the top 4 each time and earning them a spot on stage at the Kihncerts, and a final 4th time where the won the category for best video.
PLAYING SHOWS
Crimes of Passion has been fortunate enough to play many exciting and special shows, as well as opening up for some truly incredible bands including the Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller Band, Pat Travers, Greg Kihn, Foghat, and more. Juliana has opened up for Michael Schenkar 5 times playing solo guitar, and the Misfits once. The band does many benefit shows to raise awareness for causes and raise money for those in need. Juliana's mom, Lois, has managed the band and put on many of these benefit shows herself in order to help friends affiliated with different organizations. The most recent benefit was a bake sale for No Kid Hungry, where over $1100.00 was raised and donated.
ENDORSMENTS
Lead guitarist Juliana started playing guitar, influenced heavily by Randy Rhoads. She played a blue Jackson Kelle on stage and took every opportunity she could to shred (not much has changed, the Kelle is green and a USA model). At a NAMM show one year while playing with a string company who endorsed her called Sfarzo Strings, Juliana met some of the Jackson Guitar crew. They ended up endorsing her and she has been faithfully playing and loving Jackson guitars ever since. Another year, she was endorsed by Steve Clayton Picks USA as well. These were great fits for Juliana because she already used the products made by these companies. Juliana has attended and played at 2 NAMM shows. One year Jesse attended NAMM as well, where they hoped to meet Jerry Only of the Misfits, but he was not there. Juliana did however meet Mr. Only when opening up for the Misfits at the Avalon in Santa Clara.
The band has had several different members, Juliana and Jesse being the only original members. There was even one memorable gig where the band had to go to a show without at drummer, and ended up having three different drummers that night. It was at a place called Nickel City, and they had never played there before. They had been playing with a friend named Johnny who was a great drummer. As they were leaving for the show, Johnny called and said he couldn't play the show because he got grounded! Juliana called everyone she knew but alas there was no other option than to go stag. So they arrived at the show and announced to the audience that they didn't have a drummer and if there were any in the crowd who would like to play with them, please come up and do so. It was not their best night, but still all in good fun.
42 MEMBERS LATER..
Today the band is made up of Juliana - lead guitar, vocals, song writing; Jesse Battles - rhythm guitar, vocals, song writing; newest member Greg Schrader - vocals, keys; Ramin Tawakuli - drums/percussion, backing vocals; and Ryan Topete - bass, backing vocals. Here's a graphic representation of the many different members of Crimes of Passion. These are the names of people who practiced and played at least one show as part of the band.
FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND THE "MOMAGER"
Crimes of Passion has been extremely lucky to have such an amazing support group of family and friends. One constant force driving the band is Juliana's mom, Lois. Early on in the band, Lois agreed to help Juliana book shows and generally manage the band because she had managed Juliana's dad's bands before and was experienced in dealing with clubs and whatnot. Plus she was not a 16 year old begging for shows. Lois is not your typical "band mom" who interferes with the bands direction, descisions, or ideas. She supports the band however she can and tries to let the band do what ever it is that the band needs to do. When moral is low, she has helped get things going again. Without the help of Lois, the band would probably not be what it is today. When Crimes of Passion won the Last Band Standing contest on KFOX radio, the prize was a guitar, which the whole band signed and gave to Lois as thanks for all she had done for the band. Juliana's dad, Tom, has also been super supportive in running sound, moving equipment, giving rides to band members, recording and mixing, and fillinf in on bass from time to time. Our friends have been attending shows faithfully since the beginning, and for that we are forever greatful. Juliana even had an art teacher in high school, Charlotte Kruk (look her up, her art is amazing!) who made it homework to check out the band and support us in an earlier radio contest for KFOX.
MEET THE CURRENT BAND
As mentioned before, JESSE and JULIANA met when they were just kids, and have been playing music together since they were 15 and 16 years old. Juliana got Jesse to sing for her band when she was about to leave for practice one night and had just been told that her singer would not be playing with them any more. She called up Jesse after remembering a time when he had played and sang a parody of Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin at her house. The conversation went something like this:
"Hey how's it going? Wanna sing in my band?"
"Okay we're about to practice, we can pick you up."
Juliana's biggest influences are Randy Rhoads, Danny Elfman, Of Montreal, Joan Jett, Blondie, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Flock of Seagulls, the Clash, and too many more to count.
Jesse's biggest influences are Syd Barrett, John Lennon, Joshua Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Trent Reznor (NIN), and Velvet Underground.
THOMAS began singing lead vocals for the band in 2017, and has also added his violin skills to the mix. Thomas is influenced by the Beatles, and anything jazz.
RAMIN joined the band through one of the older bass players named Igor. The two being great friends played together in the band for a while. Ramin brings a level of maturity and responsibility to the band while also adding a lot of fun that was much needed. His laid back nature does not reflect his monstrous drumming. Ramin's biggest influences are Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, UFO, and Led Zeppelin.
RYAN didn't play bass when he met the band. Juliana's mom Lois struck up a conversation with him at show they played at the county faire, and he offered to help carry the equipment. After that, he stuck around and helped the band at all their shows, sort of fulfilling the "roadie" roll. There came a point in the band where the members were all shifting around and Juliana did not have a bass player or a drummer. She knew Ryan could play guitar and asked him if he'd be interested in learning how to play bass for the band. He was down, and they worked on the songs in the garage using a drum machine by BOSS that they called Dr. Fill. It was a DR 670. Ryan's biggest influences are Metallica (Cliff Burton and James Hetfield), Faith No More, Misfits, Motorhead (Lemmy), Dimebag Darrel, and Iron Maiden.
A recurring and unintentional theme of the color orange has seemed to attach itself to the band. It was first noticed when Juliana began playing Orange amps, which matched Ryan's orange bass, which matched Ramin's orange drums. Not to leave Jesse out of the orange loop, Juliana put orange neon strings on his guitar. Just when they weren't expecting any more orangeness, Greg brought over an orange music stand. Other instances of orange seem to creep up every now and then.
So with an odd afinity for the color orange, the band marches on and continues to write, perform, record, and make music. They play all original songs now, with a few covers sprinkled here and there, and have an EP for sale under the music section of this website.
Juliana is sponsored by:


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Dirt Pro Stock Ace Yetman Enters Chili Bowl
Dirt Pro Stock Ace Yetman Enters Chili Bowl | Rob Yetman has partnered with Steve Buckwalter to compete in the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Jan. 13-18 in Tulsa, Okla. The post Dirt Pro
EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. — Rob Yetman has partnered with Steve Buckwalter to compete in the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Jan. 13-18 in Tulsa, Okla.
Buckwalter, a well-known Northeast open-wheel racer, will provide Yetman with an Eagle chassis midget powered by Ford engine for the Chili Bowl.
Yetman, best known for his prowess as a dirt pro stock driver, has 138 wins and 10 track championships, as well as being the only driver to have won five consecutive Super DIRT Week events in the pro stock division.
Yetman explained that he's wanted to compete in the Chili Bowl since a trip to see the event 10 years ago.
"Ever since I've wanted to see if I could do this," said Yetman. "This deal came about real fast and I want to thank Waterford Beverage, L. Browe Asphalt Services and The Bottle & Can Co.for stepping up to help make this possible.
"My goal is to try and qualify. I want to have some fun with this. To have the chance to race against someone in qualifying like Kyle Larsen or Christopher Bell would be awesome."
To prepare for the event Yetman is spending time on a simulator program for the Chili Bowl to acquaint himself with the track. The 51-year-old driver is looking forward to crossing an item off his bucket list.
"I can't thank Steve enough for making my dream a reality," said Yetman. "I'm looking forward to this opportunity with great anticipation."
Busy Schedule Set For COMP Cams Super Dirt Series
CONWAY, Ark. – The COMP Cams Super Dirt Series presented by Lucas Oil has released a schedule that features more than 30 dates across 12 tracks in five states.
"Putting the schedule together for 2020 was more challenging than I ever expected. Not only did all of our tracks from this season want dates for the upcoming year, but we had some new ones as well," CCSDS CEO Chris Sullivan said. "We've got a few dates left to finalize but should have that done in the next two weeks. Right now, we are looking at 34 races. All but one race weekend has at least two events, and I've done my best to keep them as close travel wise as possible."
The season will mark the 14th for the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series and will kick off with a new event. On March 6-7 the tour sanctions the inaugural Ronnie Adams Memorial at Boothill Speedway in Greenwood, La. Details are currently being finalized for the weekend, but the possibility of a five-figure winner's payday looks likely.
New to the schedule for the upcoming campaign is a stop at Missouri's Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park on April 17. The tour last visited the three-eighths-mile oval during its inaugural season in 2007.
After being nixed by rain in 2019, the 2020 edition of the Bad Boy 98 is scheduled for May 8-9 at Batesville (Ark.) Motor Speedway. The format and weekend payout are currently being finalized.
Missouri's Legit Speedway Park returns to the schedule with a pair of dates. Notably, the facility will host the annual Larry Phillips Memorial for the first time ever. The CCSDS-sanctioned affair will be held on Aug. 1 and posts a $5,075 winner's check.
In addition to co-sanctioning the 28th annual COMP Cams Topless 100 with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Arkansas' Batesville Motor Speedway on Aug. 20-22, the CCSDS will also co-sanction the annual Clash at the Mag at Johnny Stokes' Magnolia Motor Speedway for the first time in series history on June 18-20.
New for 2020, the 14th annual Gumbo Nationals at Mississippi's Greenville Speedway will be sanctioned for the first time by the COMP Cams Super Dirt Series on Oct. 2-3. Weekend payouts are expected to include $4,000-to-win on Friday night and $8,000-to-win on Saturday night.
The 2020 season thunders to a close on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Mississippi's Jackson Motor Speedway with the $6,000-to-win, All American 60.
2020 COMP Cams Super Dirt Series Schedule
March 6-7 – Boothill Speedway – Greenwood, La.
March 27-28 – Batesville Motor Speedway – Locust Grove, Ark.
April 3 – Texarkana Speedway – Texarkana, Texas
April 4 – LoneStar Speedway – Kilgore, Texas
April 17 – Poplar Bluff Motorsports Park – Poplar Bluff, Mo.
April 18 – Legit Speedway Park – West Plains, Mo.
April 24 – Old No. 1 Speedway – Harrisburg, Ark.
April 25 – Greenville Speedway – Greenville, Miss.
May 8-9 – Batesville Motor Speedway – Locust Grove, Ark.
May 15-16 – TBA – TBA
June 5 – Texarkana Speedway – Texarkana, Ark.
June 6 – I-30 Speedway – Little Rock, Ark.
June 18-20 – Magnolia Motor Speedway – Columbus, Miss.*
July 10 – Greenville Speedway – Greenville, Miss.
July 11 – I-30 Speedway – Little Rock, Ark.
July 31 – Batesville Motor Speedway – Locust Gove, Ark.
Aug. 1 – Legit Speedway Park – West Plains, Mo.
Aug. 20-22 – Batesville Motor Speedway – Locust Grove, Ark.*
Sept. 4 – Crowley's Ridge Raceway – Paragould, Ark.
Sept. 5 – Jackson Motor Speedway – Byram, Miss.
Sept. 6 – Magnolia Motor Speedway – Columbus, Miss.
Sept. 11-12 – TBA – TBA
Oct. 2-3 – Greenville Speedway – Greenville, Miss.
Nov. 7 – Jackson Motor Speedway – Byram, Miss.
* – Co-sanctioned with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series


Volunteering is our way of giving back to the community.
Dennis has been a volunteer at Boulder Rural Fire Protection District since 1986, first as a firefighter, then as assistant chief and now working on special projects for the Board of Directors.
Jann started volunteering with the Boulder County Medical Reserve Corps, to help evacuate horses from wildfires, but then became more involved and trained for responding to the residents of Boulder County in a Medical support role. When the 2013 floods devastated many homes, towns and cities in the County, Jann was deployed for days at the disaster centers as a key resource for FEMA.
There is a Huge and ongoing need for volunteers as the public budgets continue to fall short of fulfilling all of the needs of public service. We find giving back from our years of experience really makes a difference to those in need.


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MIDDLE EAST: CRADLE OF A UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF SALVATION
VATICAN CITY, 10 OCT 2010 (VIS) - At 9.30 a.m. today, the Holy Father Benedict XVI presided at a concelebration of the Eucharist with Synod Fathers for the solemn opening of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, which is to be held in the Vatican's Synod Hall until 24 October. The theme of the synodal assembly is: "The Catholic Church in the Middle East. Communion and Witness. Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul".
Published by VIS - Holy See Press Office - Monday, October 11, 2010 0 commenti
CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AN INSTRUMENT OF RECONCILIATION
VATICAN CITY, 10 OCT 2010 (VIS) - At midday today, after having concelebrated Mass with the Synod Fathers to inaugurate the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, the Holy Father appeared at the window of his private study to pray the Angelus with thousands of faithful gathered below in St. Peter's Square.
In the Middle East, the Pope remarked, "the one Church of Christ expresses herself in all the richness of her ancient traditions". In the countries of that region, "unfortunately marked by profound divisions and lacerated by years-long conflicts, the Church is called to be a sign and instrument of unity and reconciliation", he said.
"This is an arduous task, because the Christians of the Middle East often find themselves having to support difficult living conditions at a personal, family and community level. But this must not be a discouragement; it is precisely in such a context that the perennial message of Christ to 'believe in the Good News' becomes more necessary and urgent".
In the month of October, which is dedicated to the Rosary, Benedict XVI entrusted the work of the Synod to the Virgin Mary, who is "so loved and venerated by our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and, ... as the Star of Hope, is close to all forms of suffering.
"To her intercession", the Holy Father added in conclusion, "we entrust the synodal assembly, ... that the Christians of the region may be strengthened in communion and bear witness to the Gospel of love and peace".
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FIRST GENERAL CONGREGATION
VATICAN CITY, 11 OCT 2010 (VIS) - The first General Congregation of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East was held this morning in the Synod Hall. The meeting was presided by the Pope.
Benedict XVI made some brief opening remarks in which he recalled how on this day, 11 October, in the year 1962, Pope John XXIII officially opened Vatican Council II.
POPE RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF CROATIA
VATICAN CITY, 9 OCT 2010 (VIS) - The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday today:
"This morning the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Ivo Josipovic, president of the Republic of Croatia. President Josipovic subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
"The cordial discussions provided an occasion for a fruitful exchange of opinions on questions concerning the current situation in the region, with particular reference to the position of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Attention then turned to certain aspects of the situation in Croatia itself, to the Church's contribution to cultural and spiritual development, to the country's path to full integration into the European Union, and to the importance of it maintaining its specific Christian identity".
OP/ VIS 20101011 (2600)
EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCHES MUST CONSERVE THEIR TRADITIONS
VATICAN CITY, 9 OCT 2010 (VIS) - At midday today the Pope received participants in a congress called to mark the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.
This anniversary, said the Holy Father, provides an occasion "to examine to what extent the Code has had effective force of law for all 'sui iuris' Eastern Catholic Churches, and how it has been translated into their daily lives". Moreover, it is an opportunity to consider "the extent to which the legislative authority of each 'sui iuris' Church has undertaken to promulgate its own particular law, while bearing in mind the traditions of its own rite and the dispositions of Vatican Council II.
"The themes of your congress (divided into three sections: historical, legislative and ecumenical) are", he added, "an important indication of the course to be followed in this matter".
Benedict XVI then highlighted how "the 'sacri canones' of the ancient Church, which are the inspiration for the current Eastern Code, stimulate all the Eastern Churches to preserve their own identity, which is Oriental and Catholic at one and the same time. In maintaining Catholic communion the Eastern Catholic Churches had no intention of renouncing faithfulness to their own tradition", he said. "As has been noted on several occasions, the union they have already achieved with the Church of Rome must not cause the Eastern Catholic Churches to lose an awareness of their own authenticity and originality. Therefore, the task of all the Eastern Catholic Churches is that of preserving their legal heritage and nourishing their traditions, which are a treasure for the whole Church".
The Holy Father went on: "To a large extent, those same 'sacri canones' of the early centuries of the Church also constitute the fundamental and identical heritage of Canon Law that regulate the Orthodox Churches. Thus, the Eastern Catholic Churches can make a specific and important contribution to the progress of ecumenism".
The Pope concluded his remarks by noting how, "in the context of the Church's current commitment to the new evangelisation, Canon Law, as the specific and indispensable regulation of ecclesial unity, will not fail to make an effective contribution to the life and mission of the Church in the world, if all members of the People of God interpret it wisely and apply it faithfully".
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VATICAN CITY, 11 OCT 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences:
- Archbishop Joseph William Tobin C.SS.R., secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Apostolic Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
- Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, apostolic nuncio to Jordan and Iraq, accompanied by members of his family.
- Bishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
- Bishop Enrico Dal Covolo S.D.B., rector of the Pontifical Lateran University, accompanied by members of his family.
On Saturday 9 October the Holy Father received in separate audiences:
- Cardinal Francis Eugene George O.M.I., archbishop of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, accompanied by Bishop Gerald Frederic Kicanas of Tucson, vice president; Msgr. David John Malloy, secretary general, and Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, adjunct secretary general.
- Cardinal Marc Ouellet P.S.S., prefect of the Congregation for Bishops.
AP/ VIS 20101011 (150)
VATICAN CITY, OCT 11, 2010 (VIS) - The Holy Father:
- Appointed Archbishop-Bishop Cesare Nosiglia of Vicenza, Italy, as metropolitan archbishop of Turin (area 3,350, population 2,098,713, Catholics 1,941,913, priests 1,157, permanent deacons 135, religious 4,368), Italy. He succeeds Cardinal Severino Poletto, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Fr. Emidio Cipollone of the clergy of the diocese of Avezzano, Italy, spiritual director of the St. Pius X Regional Seminary at Chieti, as archbishop of Lanciano-Ortona (area 305, population 93,764, Catholics 91,890, priests 60, permanent deacons 8, religious 120), Italy. The archbishop-elect was born in Cese di Avezzano, Italy in 1960 and ordained a priest in 1984. He succeeds Archbishop Carlo Ghidelli, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
- Appointed Fr. Odelir Jose Magri M.C.C.I., vicar general of the Combonian Fathers in Rome, as bishop of Sobral (area 18,920, population 908,000, Catholics 769,000, priests 57, religious 128), Brazil. The bishop-elect was born in Campo Ere, Brazil in 1963 and ordained a priest in 1988.
- Appointed Christoph Graf, captain of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, as vice commander of the same corps, with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
NER:RE:NA/ VIS 20101011 (220)
MIDDLE EAST: CRADLE OF A UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF SALVA...
CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AN INSTRUMENT OF RECONC...
EASTERN CATHOLIC CHURCHES MUST CONSERVE THEIR TRAD...


A billion dollar tax scam. Vote no on Measure 26-199. Don't let them get away with this. | A tax on housing to pay for housing that they don't even have to spend on housing. This is a billion dollar tax scam. Vote no on Measure 26-199. The, so-called, Affordable Housing act.
A billion dollar tax on housing.
Housing costs have skyrocketed throughout the Portland metropolitan area over the last few years, making it unaffordable for single mothers, the elderly and our other most vulnerable residents.
One of the primary causes of this crisis is the unique set of laws that Oregon has that restrict the amount of land available for housing and other needs. Those laws set up processes to allow more land to use used for housing, if the governing body choses to do so.
In November 2015, the Metro council voted unanimously to refuse to allow more land to be used for housing. Councilors said at the time that available land "provides sufficient opportunity for near-term development."
Now, Metro is asking for a $652.8 million in bonds (that will cost over a billions dollars to repay) that would be "payable from taxes on property or property ownership." In other words, a tax on housing in the name of making housing more affordable.
This is the most absurd attempt to solve a problem that metro helped create.
This will create a tax obligation of over 1 BILLION dollars.
This gives Metro a blank check to spend money in almost any way they desire, without limitation.
This is an insult to voters and should be defeated.
We strongly urge a "no" vote on this measure.
Measure 26-199 creates a new function for Metro. Presiding officer Tom Hughes argues that Metro has the necessary expertise for this because it has long had a program to subsidize and build "Transit-Oriented Development." That is true, but Metro's own auditor has been harshly critical of the TOD program. In August 2008, the auditor released a report concluding that, "The Program had no system for regularly monitoring project results in terms of increased density, reduction in vehicle miles traveled or new private development stimulated by its efforts. Consequently, it is difficult for the Program to demonstrate its effectiveness." In November 2010 the auditor released a follow-up report criticizing Metro staff for failing to implement key recommendations from the 2008 audit.
Measure 26-199 allows Metro and local governments to keep 5% of bond proceeds for "administrative costs." That amounts to $32.64 million that would be siphoned for non-productive uses.
There is no cap on how much Metro may spend on each housing unit, therefore the public cannot know what it is buying. Many recent public housing projects have cost more than $250,000/unit. If that trend continues, the measure could only pay for about 2,480 new units over the life of the bond sales. Given that the market produces over 10,000 new units each year, adding roughly 99 more each year through this bond measure makes it irrelevant.
Under the terms of the measure, Metro and/or other units of government may buy existing housing units and subsidize rents, rather than add new units. While this may make a handful of lottery winners better off, it does nothing to increase the supply of housing. Since the lack of supply is the fundamental problem, simply re-apportioning certain units to low-income renters means that all other units will become more expensive.
Measure 26-199 does not actually require Metro or any unit of government to provide more housing. As described in the explanatory statement, "The improvements constructed or purchased with bond funds may be composed of a mix of unit sizes, and may include spaces for community and resident needs and services, such as, without limitation, spaces for childcare services, health care services, grocery, onsite utility and building facilities, and other commercial, office and retail uses.
Measure 26-199 will raise the price of all housing because property taxes will go up for at least the next 20 years to pay off the bond debt. Borrowing $652.8 million will result in principal and interest payments of roughly $1.06 billion. This makes all housing more expensive.
Metro's "2040 Growth Plan" is actually designed to make housing more expensive by restricting land supply. As the agency's own economists stated in 1994, "…the data suggest a public welfare tradeoff for increased density, more transit use, and reduced vehicle miles traveled. The downside of pursuing such objectives appears to be higher housing prices and reduced housing output" (emphasis added). Since 1970, regional population has grown by 78% while the regional supply of buildable land inside the UGB has only grown by 10%. This shows that in the world of Metro land-use regulation, expensive housing is a feature, not a bug.
The only solution to the housing crisis is to deregulate every phase of the homebuilding process – land availability, System Development Charges, density requirements, inclusionary zoning, and parking requirements. In addition, Metro has imposed a "construction excise tax" on most new construction since 2006. This tax should be repealed. We cannot make housing more affordable by taxing it.
Voters in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties are being asked to approve Measure 26-199 on their ballots for the upcoming November 2018 general election. Here is some basic information about Measure 26-199 that voters can use to help make their decision.
Why is Measure 26-199 being proposed?
Housing prices in the Portland metro area have skyrocketed in recent years, creating hardship for our most vulnerable residents.
How did housing become so expensive in the first place?
Oregon has unique laws that requires processes for adding more land to housing and restricts where it can be built. The Metro council undertook such a process in November 2015, and voted unanimously to refuse to allow more land to be used for housing. Metro's council reasoned that the available land "provides sufficient opportunity for near-term development."
Isn't Metro the same entity seeking $652.8 million general obligation bonds under Measure 26-199?
What does Measure 26-199 do?
It would authorize Metro to issue $652.8 million in general obligation bonds to fund "affordable housing."
How much will Measure 26-199 cost?
According to this article, borrowing $652.8 million will result in principal and interest payments of over $1 billion.
How does this measure achieve its stated goal of making housing more affordable?
Does taxing property or property ownership make housing more affordable?
Does taking anything make it more affordable?
Would all of the $652.8 million in taxes go towards housing?
Is there a limit to how much money Metro would be able to spend per housing unit under Measure 26-199?
Would Metro be required to increase the supply of housing if Measure 26-199 passes?
Under Measure 26-199, Metro and other government agencies would be able to buy existing housing units and subsidize rents. But Measure 26-199 does not require Metro to increase the overall supply of housing.
Should I vote to support Measure 26-199?


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L. D. Lewis
SFF Writer and Worldbuilder
Written Things
L.D. Lewis does... well, a lot. She is an award-winning SF/F writer and editor, and publisher at Fireside Fiction as of July 2021. She serves as a founding creator, Art Director, and Project Manager for the World Fantasy Award-winning and Hugo Award-nominated FIYAH Literary Magazine. She also serves the founding Director of FIYAHCON, chair of the 2021 Nebula Conference, and Awards Manager for the Lambda Literary Foundation. She acquires novellas for Tor.com and researches for the LeVar Burton Reads podcast. She frequently bothers the publishing industry by authoring studies about the treatment and experiences of racially/ethnically marginalized authors in speculative literature. She is the author of A Ruin of Shadows (Dancing Star Press, 2018) and her published short fiction and poetry includes appearances in FIYAH, PodCastle, Strange Horizons, Anathema: Spec from the Margins, Lightspeed, and Fireside Magazine, among others. She lives in Georgia, on deadline, with her coffee habit and an impressive Funko Pop! collection. Tweet her @ellethevillain.


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To sue or not to sue third-party businesses for sex trafficking?
by Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco | @MehlmanOrozco | Human trafficking expert witness
Monday, 3 July 2017 20:35 GMT
Law enforcement officers make an arrest in this still image taken from video in New Jersey, provided by the FBI in this 2013 file photo. REUTERS/FBI/Handout via Reuters
About our Slavery coverage
We shine a light on human trafficking, forced labour and modern-day slavery
Instead of blaming third parties, anti-trafficking advocates and politicians should consider identifying better mechanisms to address the root causes of sex trafficking
Third party liability is the latest trend in efforts in the United States to combat sex trafficking. Victims have begun suing the websites used to market commercial sex services, as well as hotels where the commercial sex services are allegedly exchanged. These accusations assume that the third parties were aware of the commercial sex exchanges, were able to differentiate consenting adult commercial sex workers from victims of sex trafficking, and facilitated the sex trafficking victimization.
Unfortunately, these accusations aren't particularly reasonable; here's why.
First, sex trafficking is a clandestine crime. Sex traffickers go to great lengths to develop trauma bonds with their victims, to facilitate mental manipulation and control and conceal the nature of the exploitative relationship. As such, it is unlikely that they would openly disclose this information to business owners.
Second, it is very difficult to discern an adult consenting sex worker from a victim of sex trafficking. Trauma bonding often results in victims behaving more like consenting participants or co-conspirators, rather than quintessential victims. As such, these women and children are often misidentified and erroneously criminalized by both service providers and criminal justice actors. This happens with such frequency, even by trained law enforcement, that an increasing number of states have begun to pass vacatur statutes, in order to expunge the convictions of mistakenly arrested and convicted victims of human trafficking.
Last, law enforcement doesn't even intervene in many situations where there is probable cause of commercial sex or sex trafficking, so it is confusing why third-party businesses are being held liable for following a similar standard.
For example, during the dark hours of early dawn this morning, women in platform heels, thongs, and see-through nightgowns walked the streets of Washington, D.C., in an area known as "the track" or the local "ho stroll." A variety of men, in business suits and expensive jewelry or driving luxury cars, watched the women from a close distance, presumably their pimps or sex traffickers. As cars passed, some of the women would wave; others would gyrate on lampposts or shake their derriere for the passing cars. Every so often, the women would hop into one of the vehicles, driving to nearby parking spots or down alleys.
Several police officers passed in patrol cars and even one on a bicycle, without stopping.
I conduct these systematic social observations to provide me with qualitative insight into the commercial sex industry in the Washington D.C. area, as well as the oftentimes-lacking intervention by law enforcement. These data are featured in my forthcoming book, "Hidden in Plain Sight: America's Slaves of the New Millennium".
An increasing number of anti-trafficking advocates have begun to jump on the bandwagon to hold businesses liable for the crimes committed by third parties. While these accusations make assumptions that the businesses were aware of these crimes and were accurately able to differentiate consenting adult commercial sex workers from sex trafficked victims, it is unclear why anti-trafficking advocates aren't holding criminal justice actors to an equal or higher standard.
A lieutenant for the D.C. Metropolitan police told me that he didn't know why the officer's didn't stop and intervene, given the probable cause of commercial sex exchanges on the street this morning. However, he did tell me that his sex trafficking vice squad makes thousands of arrests per year through various stings, but the offenders are often back out on the streets quickly.
Instead of blaming third parties and attempting to hold them liable for the crimes committed by others, truly dedicated anti-trafficking advocates and politicians should consider identifying better mechanisms to address the root causes of sex trafficking and hold the actual offenders liable for their crimes.
Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco, Ph.D. serves as a human trafficking expert witness for criminal cases and her book, "Hidden in Plain Sight: America's Slaves of the New Millennium," will be published by Praeger/ABC-Clio this fall.
EXPLORE MORE Slavery NEWS
UK slavery museum pulls sex trafficking exhibition after backlash
UK slavery museum criticised for 'dehumanising' sex trafficking exhibition
Nigeria convicts family of sex traffickers with rare jail sentence
Sex workers say Brussels prostitution ban drives them underground


The Tower of Mastery is a large building located in Shalour City. It is home to the Mega Evolution Guru.
Enter the door in the middle of the room to meet the Mega Evolution Guru and Leader of the Shalour City Gym. The Guru will tell you how Mega Evolutions work. You must have a Mega Ring and your Pokemon must be holding its own Mega Stone. The Mega Evolution Guru has a Mega Ring that he wishes to hand out, but only one. If you want it, you must defeat Serena/Calem in battle.
Unfortunately, you won't get the Mega Ring directly after the battle. First you must challenge the Shalour City Gym.
After obtaining the Rumble Badge, climb to the top of the Tower of Mastery. You can visit each room on the way up if you wish. The third room contains a man who will give you TM47 Low Sweep.
At the top of the tower is the Shalour City Gym Leader, Korrina. She'll challenge you to one more battle, but it'll be a one on one Pokemon Battle. One of Korrina's Lucarios wishes to fight by your side against her other Lucario. Before battle, Korrina will hand over the Mega Ring, which means it's time for your very first battle with Mega Pokemon!
This will be your very first battle using Mega-Evolved Pokemon. Click the Mega Evolution button under attack, then choose an attack to use. Power-Up Punch should be a great choice against Korrina's Lucario.
After the battle, Korrina will give you the Lucario you just used in battle, along with the Lucarionite it's holding!
You will now be able to use Mega Evolutions at any time during normal or Wi-Fi Battles. Head East of Shalour City to Route 12 and you'll be stopped by Serena/Calem. He/She will give you HM03 Surf which allows you to surf on top of select Pokemon.


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Why a socially aware investment approach pays dividends
Bloomberg Media
In partnership with AXA IM
The pandemic has pushed the "S" of ESG to the top of the news agenda. Social welfare concerns have forced companies to scramble to keep employees safe, while investors are demanding a fair deal for all.
For many years, "social" appeared to be the overlooked component of the environmental, social and governance (ESG) triumvirate, but the pandemic changed that. The sudden halt in everyday life highlighted a range of social issues, such as strained healthcare systems, lack of medical coverage, disrupted supply chains, the precarious nature of the gig economy and wider income inequality.
AXA Investment Managers' Social Progress Portfolio Manager Anne Tolmunen describes the crisis as "an opportunity to learn and rethink working practices. The pandemic has put the 'S' of ESG, which has been a laggard, at the forefront."
"The IMF has found that high income inequality can weaken a country's GDP."
Bloomberg Intelligence
The recent focus on social concerns revealed some stark divisions. For example, CEOs at the biggest UK firms made more in the first three days of 2021 than the median worker will make in the whole year, according to the High Pay Centre1, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has found that high levels of income inequality can weaken a country's GDP, particularly if the share of the wealthiest 20% increases2.
The challenges of lockdowns have elicited a range of employer responses, from companies leaving workers to fend for themselves without proper social distancing or PPE in place, to giving workers pay raises or additional health-care coverage to acknowledge their efforts working on the front line.
"Some companies have also provided support to their suppliers by extending payment terms," Tolmunen adds. "When you do the right thing, it fosters loyalty and productivity. But people also remember when companies let them down at a time of crisis."
Caroline Moleux, Senior Portfolio Manager of AXA IM's Human Capital strategy, says that AXA IM has been looking at human capital as an investment issue since 2007, explaining that companies that treat their people well should be better businesses. "Those that invest now to make the transition will potentially outperform tomorrow," she says. "There is an upfront cost, but it pays for itself in the long run."
Research from nonprofit Just Capital suggests that this is exactly what happened during the first quarter of 2020, when the first lockdowns occurred. Its findings show a "strong correlation between companies providing fair and equal pay, strong benefits and work-life balance and a safe work environment during the crisis and higher financial returns".3
Accelerating Trends
The upheavals caused by the lockdowns have highlighted and accelerated a trend in remote working as a result of digitalization, automation and the need to decarbonize the economy. With workplaces shuttered around the world, the pandemic has demonstrated just how much it is possible to get done when employees work from home, thanks to recent developments in digital technology.
The option to work from home is set to remain for many employees once economies open up again, with worker benefits that include less time and money spent commuting, but there is a growing recognition of potential downsides in terms of isolation and impact on mental health. What's more, increasing digitalization and the move towards a low-carbon society mean for some employees, what they do–or how they do it–will change.
It is imperative for companies to address the issues raised by these changes, says AXA IM ESG analyst Marie Fromaget. "This transition brings lots of opportunities, but also lots of challenges. There is a big disconnect between the skills that are available today and what companies need for tomorrow's jobs."
Firms need to ensure that there is a just transition to ensure that workers whose skills become obsolete or those who work in industries that are struggling to decarbonize are not left behind. A just transition enables companies to reconcile the seemingly conflicting requirements of two of the most important U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: No.13, Climate action, and No.8, Decent work and economic growth. The switch to a clean economy is expected to see investment of up to $73 trillion and will create 28.5 million more jobs than a continued reliance on fossil fuels.4
"The key is to build on what you have and upskill existing employees rather than just looking externally. It is cheaper, it reduces your reputational risk and it helps to motivate workers," Fromaget says.
Training is a key theme of AXA IM's engagement, Moleux explains. Many industries are highly regulated and a certain amount of training is compulsory. However, "we look for what the company is doing beyond what is mandatory," she says. "We like companies that disclose their total number of training hours and what is discretionary. For our human capital strategy, we specifically look at training on digitalization and automation."
Diversity is another area where there is an increased focus. "Diversity is the reality of the world we live in," says Tolmunen. "Inclusion is a choice that companies need to work on. We look very closely at what companies are doing to ensure a fair workplace with equal opportunities for everyone."
In 2019, the top-quartile companies embracing ethnic and cultural diversity outperformed those in the fourth quartile by 36%, in terms of profitability. McKinsey (May 19, 2020)
While gender was the starting point for AXA IM's focus on diversity, it is clear the agenda extends far beyond that. "Gender is often the starting point for cultural change in the workplace, but companies are now thinking much more broadly about all forms of inclusivity. A conversation around fair and equal opportunities for women can lead to a rethink of management practices in relation to other minorities," adds Tolmunen.
Diversity Is a Business Issue
Although the ethical case for diversity and inclusion is clear, there is also a very strong business case. Boston Consulting Group reports that Fortune 500 companies with at least three female directors see a 53% increase in return on equity, and net profit margins increase 6% in companies where 30% of leadership roles are filled by women. In addition, earnings before interest and taxes rise 9% at companies with leadership teams with above-average diversity compared with the worst performers.5
Institutional investors and advisers overseeing assets worth more than $3 trillion are pushing companies to consider racial and gender diversity.6 "It creates diversity of thought within the organization," says Tolmunen. "We all have different ways of looking at the world. If your leaders all come from the same school of thought, you run the risk of groupthink. Studies show that men and women together make better decisions because they are taking a 360-degree view."
AXA IM's Social Progress strategy focuses on three pillars of access, protect and progress. "I believe these resonate hugely, especially with ESG fund selectors across different markets," she adds. The strategy has recently been rebranded from its previous focus on women empowerment and has expanded its investment universe to address more widely all of the U.N.'s SDGs with a social focus.
Fromaget is also one of the chairs of the 30% Club France Investor Group, an initiative set up by six of the largest French asset managers to encourage the main French-listed companies to have women comprise at least 30% of their executive management teams by 2025.
A Dearth of Data
One reason that social issues have tended to receive less attention than environmental and governance issues is because there has been a lack of data, and measurement is an important starting point to trigger action.
Read more: The changing climate for responsible investment
"We are part of various initiatives to encourage companies to report on social metrics," Tolmunen says. "But it's not just about disclosure, we need to know what they're doing about it." She adds that "social realities cannot be captured fully with numbers, so they will need to incorporate some qualitative analysis into their reporting."
While schemes such as the Workforce Disclosure Initiative are making progress in achieving greater transparency, it is still difficult to get companies to engage on this issue.7
"There is still a lot of data missing," reports Fromaget. "A lot of companies don't track this data and there is still a reluctance to disclose. Companies sometimes fear that they will be attacked if their performance is poor. But even poor disclosure is a good first step because it spurs change."
Bloomberg (January 6, 2021) www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-06/u-k-ceos-earn-more-in-days-than-hourly-workers-paid-all-year
Bloomberg Intelligence (November 30, 2020) www.bloomberg.com/professional/blog/even-with-a-vaccine-pandemic-is-top-social-risk-for-countries/
Just Capital (April 29, 2020) https://justcapital.com/news/just-chart-of-the-week-companies-prioritizing-workers-and-customers-in-coronavirus-crisis-are-outperforming-peers/
Yale Environment 360 (December 20, 2019) https://e360.yale.edu/digest/the-global-price-tag-for-100-percent-renewable-energy-73-trillion
Boston Consulting Group (2021) www.bcg.com/capabilities/diversity-inclusion/overview
Bloomberg (October 28, 2020) www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-28/investors-overseeing-3-trillion-push-for-board-racial-diversity
ShareAction (April 1, 2021) https://shareaction.org/record-141-companies-disclose-workforce-data-to-7tn-investor-coalition
Social sustainable debt hits a record high
Source: BloombergNEF (January, 2021) (includes sales of green, social and sustainability bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, green loans and sustainability-linked loans)
Social Is Here to Stay
Social issues are here to stay for investors, highlighted by the record $732 billion of global sustainable bond issuance in 2020, of which the social debt market jumped sevenfold to $147.7 billion that year. Investor demand has led to new products being developed, such as AXA IM's Optimal Impact strategy, which focuses on the environment and social themes including health and human capital.8
Companies are increasingly aware of the importance of social issues and the business community is now considering the social impact of their operations and suppliers at a Scope 3 level (i.e. those that occur in the supply chain or the use of products by customers), as has been happening with carbon emissions.
With the European Union considering a social taxonomy to go with its green taxonomy, which would clarify what constitutes a social investment, the ESG sector is becoming increasingly investable.
"It is very clear that ESG factors are all interconnected," says Tolmunen. "The health of the planet has ramifications for human welfare and social equity, and sustainability encompasses both dimensions."
BloombergNEF (January, 2021) www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-11/social-bonds-propel-esg-issuance-to-record-732-billion-in-2020
This content piece was created by Bloomberg Media in partnership with AXA IM. The original page can be viewed here.
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All information in this document is established on data made public by official providers of economic and market statistics. AXA Investment Managers disclaims any and all liability relating to a decision based on or for reliance on this document. All exhibits included in this document, unless stated otherwise, are as of the publication date of this document.
Furthermore, due to the subjective nature of these opinions and analysis, these data, projections, forecasts, anticipations, hypothesis, etc. are not necessary used or followed by AXA IM's portfolio management teams or its affiliates, who may act based on their own opinions. Any reproduction of this information, in whole or in part is, unless otherwise authorised by AXA IM, prohibited.


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Northrop Delivers Firefinder Radar to US Army
The US Army has received a next-generation Firefinder radar shelter from Northrop Grumman. The integrated radar system detects and tracks hostile mortar rounds, artillery shells and rockets, instantly locating their source. The system is suitable for rapid deployment missions and
The US Army has received a next-generation Firefinder radar shelter from Northrop Grumman.
The integrated radar system detects and tracks hostile mortar rounds, artillery shells and rockets, instantly locating their source.
The system is suitable for rapid deployment missions and is capable of handling simultaneous fire from multiple locations, detecting and reporting positions from the first round.
Firefinder can be transported in a C-130 aircraft and other helicopters, as well as on HMMWV vehicles in the battlefield.
Northrop is currently upgrading a total of 50 Firefinder radar shelters for the US Army under a $285m contract as part of the ongoing radar system enhancement effort.
The Military Radar Market in the United States to 2025: Market Brief
The Military Radar Market in the United Arab Emirates to 2025: Market Brief
The Military Electro Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Systems Market in the United States to 2025: Market Brief
The Military Radar Market in the United Kingdom to 2025: Market Brief
Northrop Grumman Corp


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A Critique on Judgments by Bombay High Court over Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
Post author:Team LawFoyer
Post published:23 June 2021
Author:- Shabbir Limkhedawala
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was enacted in 2012, and is a special law to protect children. Despite of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) being gender biased, the POCSO Act is gender neutral, i.e., it recognizes that boys can also be the victim of sexual offences. The POCSO Act lays down stringent punishments as compared to IPC.
Also, the act specifically recognizes & imposes punishment for exposing children to, or using them to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM), i.e., "Child Pornography" and in such cases, the act may be used along with the Information technology Act. As per Section 28 of the POCSO Act, the State Government shall in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, for each district set up a Special Court to hear the cases filed under the POCSO Act.
The POCSO Act has recently been into the news for the two controversial judgments passed by Pushpa Ganediwala, an additional judge of the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court in the cases of child sexual abuse, Libnus v/s State of Maharashtra & Satish v/s State of Maharashtra. Which is the main focus of this article.
What is a Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault is a broad term describing all sexual offences against adults and children. Under section 7 of the POCSO Act Sexual Assault is defined as,
"Whoever, with sexual intent, touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child or makes the child touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person, or does any other act with sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration is said to commit sexual assault."
As per this definition, the offence involves the following necessary ingredients:
Act must have been committed with sexual intention.
Act involves touching the vagina, penis, anus, or breast of the child, or makes the child touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person.
Act with sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration.
Intentions of the accused & gravity of the sexual assault are also important components in case of a sexual offence. Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault in our community, including people who are young or old, male or female, from any cultural background, wealthy or not so wealthy, married or not. Sexual assault also describes a specific offence when a person has sexual intercourse with another person without their consent, i.e., "Rape".
Section 8 of the POCSO Act defines the punishment for sexual assault mentioned under section 7 of the Act, which states that "Whoever, commits sexual assault, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine."
CONTROVERSIAL JUDGMENTS DISROBING THE POCSO ACT
Firstly talking about the judgment of Libnus v/s State of Maharashtra (hereinafter Libnus case) dated 15th January 2021. In the Libnus case, the mother of the prosecutrix (minor accused) had returned from her duty at 4 p.m. on 11.02.2018, when she noticed the accused in her house, molesting her minor daughter, aged 5yrs. Police started its investigation after the mother lodged an FIR, and then filed the charge-sheet before the Special POCSO Court, Nagpur. In her testimony, the mother stated that,
"That person had caught hold the hands of victim i.e. my elder daughter. That person was taking victim inside the room of my house. I saw that victim was moving her pant in the above direction. I shouted. I abused that person in the words, "KonHosre Bhadwa, Kai Karat Aahe". Despite it, that person did not set free my daughter from his clutches. Again I shouted. Thereafter, he set free my daughter. Initially, I had not seen the face of that person. But when he turned, I saw his face."
The Special Court found the evidences trustworthy and convicted the accused for Sexual harassment & trespassing under section 354A & 448 of IPC and for aggravated sexual assault(as the child was below 12yrs) & sexual harassment under section 8, 10 & 12 of POCSO Act, and was punished with rigorous imprisonment for 5 years with Rs25, 000 fine.
The accused then appealed before the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, where J. Pushpa Ganediwala stated that as per the definition of 'sexual assault', 'physical contact with sexual intent without penetration' is an essential ingredient for the offence. Also stated that the mere holding of a minor's hand or the pants' zip of the accused being opened could not be considered as a 'sexual assault' under section 7 of the POCSO Act.
The bench held that the conviction of the accused under section 8 & 10 of the POCSO Act is quashed and the accused can only be prosecuted for outraging the modesty of prosecutrix & trespassing in the house under section 354A & 448 of IPC. Provided that the accused's 5 months in jail, the sentence was given under sections 354A and 448 of the IPC would be adequate. The accused was released.
The second judgment of Satish v/s State of Maharashtra (hereinafter Satish case) dated 19th January, 2021. In the Satish case, on 14.12.2016 the prosecutrix aged about 12yrs went to bring guava, but did not returned for a long time, the neighbor noticed the accused taking her to his place and showed the mother his house. The accused on the pretext of giving her guava, took the prosecutrix in his house and pressed her breast and she shouted when he attempted to remove her salwar. At that point of time, the mother reached the house and asked the accused about the whereabouts of her daughter which he denied to be known. The mother than searched the house of the accused and she found her daughter crying in a room locked from outside. The mother took her outside and then she narrated the whole scene to her mother. Immediately, she lodged FIR, and then filed the charge-sheet before the Special POCSO Court, Nagpur.
The Special Court convicted the accused under Sections 354, 363 & 342 of IPC for outraging a girl's modesty, kidnapping & wrongful confinement and Section 8 of POCSO Act for sexual assault and punished him with rigorous imprisonment for 3yrs with a fine of Rs500.
The accused then appealed before the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, where J. Pushpa Ganediwala stated that as per the definition of 'sexual assault', a 'physical contact with sexual intent without penetration' is an essential ingredient for the offence. Also stated that whether the accused removed the top of the prosecutrix or inserted his hand while groping her breasts is unknown, which would not constitute a direct physical contact or "Skin-to-Skin" contact between the accused and the victim as per section 7 of the POCSO Act.
The bench acquitted the accused under section 8 of the POCSO Act and convicted him for outraging the modesty & wrongfully confining the prosecutrix under section 354A & 342 of IPC for a period of 1 year of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs500. Also, a non-bailable warrant was issued against the accused.
Attorney General K.K. Venugopal filed a special mention in court, stating that the High Court ruling will establish a "very hazardous precedent" and cripple POCSO's objective to punish sexual criminals. Considering the special mention, a Bench chaired by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde took urgent cognizance and the Supreme Court has currently stayed the acquittal of the accused under this judgment.
CONCLUSION & ANALYSIS
The POCSO Act is a law which provides a special protection to the minor victim beyond IPC. The court in its interpretation of the law disregarded the legislative history and object of the POCSO Act, which is to protect the children from sexual assault and harassment, and acknowledge the vulnerability of the minor.
While interpreting the sections in both the cases, the rule of Edjusdem Generis should have been applied. According to the rule of edjusdem generis, act should be of the same sort or close in nature to the previous one. Hence, the acts of the offenders should fall under the definition of section 7 of POCSO Act and both should have been punished for the offence of Sexual Assault under section 8 of POCSO Act.
Also, the series of events/facts and the testimonies of the witnesses in both the case defines the intentions of the offenders which was to sexually abuse the minors. In the Libnus case, the prosecutrix was of mere 5 years which creates the act of the offender as 'Aggravated Sexual Assault'. Hence, the bench should have justified the primary object of the POCSO act which is to protect the minors from such act/offenses.
Section 7 begins with the phrase "whoever, with sexual intent touches". The terms 'Sexual intent' & 'touches', signifies that any touch or act which is done with a sexual intent would definitely fall under the scope of Section 7. Thus, it could be established from the acts of the offenders, i.e., 'grobbing the victim's breasts' & 'Victim moving her salwar in above direction' were done with a sexual intention irrespective of whether the molestation was over or under the clothes.
According to the case of Jagar Singh v State of Himachal Pradesh, it was well-settled that when two interpretations are possible, then the interpretation in favour of the minors should be adopted by the court to meet the ends of justice.
Before POCSO Act came into force, offence of 'sexual assault' was governed by IPC, which treated children same as adults and does not provide any special provision for minors. Furthermore, IPC does not recognize any sexual assault against a boy child or any non-penetrative conduct against a child. Also, in the Pre-POCSO period there were no legislation punishing any form of child pornography. The POCSO Act has established a barrier for offenders, with harsh sanctions and a broad set of provisions that make it difficult to escalate.
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Coronavirus: Congress CMs question exclusion of finance ministers from GST panel
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot alleged that the exclusion was 'deliberate', while his Chhattisgarh counterpart said this was against the spirit of federalism.
Jun 02, 2021 · 12:16 pm
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his Chhattisgarh counterpart Bhupesh Baghel. | PTI, IANS
The chief ministers of the Congress-ruled Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh on Tuesday questioned the Union government's decision to not include finance ministers of the states in the Group of Ministers formed to examine the matter of Goods and Services Tax exemption to coronavirus relief material.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the exclusion was "deliberate".
In a series of decisions taken on May 28, the Goods and Service Tax Council formed a Group of Ministers to examine tax waiver on essential items like vaccines, medicines, pulse oximeters, test kits, hand sanitisers, oxygen therapy equipment and ventilators, among others.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is the convener of the eight-member committee constituted by the Centre. Other members of the group include ministers from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
"Keeping out the Congress members is most unfortunate and strikes at the very roots of cooperative federalism," Gehlot tweeted. "It is pertinent to mention that from the states of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu who had taken a stand contrary to that of the proposed agenda, none has been included in the GoM."
He asked the eight members of the GoM to reflect on the exclusion of the Congress finance ministers before they proceed with their deliberations. The members will have to submit their recommendations to the GST Council on or before June 8.
"We also urge the members of GoM to take into account views expressed by Rajasthan and other mentioned states, wherein we had asked for a Zero Tax Rate for Covid-related supplies in public interest," Gehlot added.
The Union Government has set up a GoM following the GST Council Meeting of May 28th, 2021. A deliberate attempt has been made to keep the principal Opposition party, the Congress, that has three members in the GST Council out of the GoM. pic.twitter.com/74V3VRXyxX
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 1, 2021
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said not including a minister from Congress-ruled states in the panel was against the spirit of cooperative federalism, PTI reported. "The Congress has been continuously demanding exemption of GST on vaccines, medicines and other equipment to effectively combat the Covid-19 pandemic at all levels," the chief minister told reporters in Raipur.
Calling the Centre's decision "unfortunate", Baghel added that ministers of Congress-ruled states had proposed to keep tax rate on Covid relief material at 0.1%, instead of 5%, or sought total exemption at the meeting last week.
Group of Ministers
Ashok Gehlot
GST Covid material
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